Warning: Large file size (over 500MB). Each monthly data set is large (over 4 million rows) but can be viewed in standard software such as Microsoft WordPad. It is then possible to select the required rows of data and copy and paste the information into another software application, such as a spreadsheet.

What does the data cover?

General practice prescribing data is a list of all medicines, dressings and appliances that are prescribed and dispensed each month. A record will only be produced when this has occurred and there is no record for a zero total.

For each practice in England, the following information is presented at chemical level for each medicine (by chemical name), dressing and appliance:

the total number of items prescribed and dispensed

the total net ingredient cost

the total actual cost

The data covers NHS prescriptions written in England and dispensed in the community in the UK. Prescriptions written in England but dispensed outside England are included. The data includes prescriptions written by GPs and other non-medical prescribers (such as nurses and pharmacists) who are attached to GP practices. GP practices are identified only by their national code, so an additional data file - linked to the first by the practice code - provides further detail in relation to the practice.

Using and interpreting the data

Practice prescribing data requires careful interpretation, and the information should not be looked at in isolation.

This data was released for the first time in December 2011, and provided information relating to September 2011, with subsequent data released monthly thereafter. Data from June 2010 onwards is also available.

December 2012 was the final release of the data at chemical level. Please extract chemical-level data from the presentation-level data release in future.

Resource: “Self-extracting files”

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Last updated:

10/05/2014

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